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Teenage Depression   
Always Take Teenage Depression Seriously
You've probably read in the news that teenage depression and teen suicide is on the increase. Statistics show that almost a quarter of all teenagers suffer some kind of depression at some time.
So what's happening to cause these troubled teenagers so much pain? Being a teenager can be a turbulent time. It isn’t uncommon for your teen’s moods to swing frequently and without warning.
It can be hard to know if your previously outgoing teen is withdrawn and quiet because of the upheaval caused by puberty or if something else is going on. Teenagers (or anyone for that matter) will find it difficult to talk to you when they are feeling low. They may need time to find the words to describe how they feel. Don’t push. Be sensitive. Let them know you are there for them. Take note of what they do say to you and how they are behaving. If you are worried about them, don’t ignore it. What Is Depression?Teenage depression can range from having a blue mood to being consumed by an absolute cloud of unhappiness and sadness with thoughts of suicide.The Depressed MoodThis is generally pretty short lived. A depressed mood is characterized by feeling ‘blue’ or ‘down’. It’s a niggling feeling of sadness that is deflating but doesn’t interfere with going to school, playing sport, or whatever else is on.DepressionKnown as ‘Dysthymia’, this is a persistent feeling of depression that can hang around for a year or more.It needs to be taken seriously. Its persistence may have an impact on your teenager’s quality of life and may lead to other problems. Major DepressionThis is a serious clinical illness. It is characterized by the person feeling extremely low all the time with no enjoyment of life. Suicide is a very real risk.It can be brought on by the death of a loved one, breaking up with a girl or boyfriend, or a similar emotional and stressful time. It can also appear for no apparent reason.
Is Your Teen At Risk of Depression?Anyone can succumb to depression at any age. You teenager is more at risk if:
What Type of Traumatic or Difficult Experience Causes Depression?
Just remember that your teenager experiences the pressures of life differently from you.
What may seem like a trifling incident to you may be devastating to an inexperienced teen. Managing Depression
Living with teenage depression is traumatic not just for the teen, but also for the family.
You will be able to support your teen through this time better if you have adequate support for yourself as well. What Are the Signs of Teenage Depression?
So how do you know if you teen is suffering from depression or just being a sullen, slobby drama queen? You know, just normal?
Read about the three most common types of depression to help you decide if you need to talk to your GP. Help For Teenage Depression
You and your teenager do not have to "tough" this out by yourselves.
There are many ways to treat depression. Some alleviate the black mood, some lift it completely. Your teenager may never suffer from depression again, or they may battle it periodically through out their lives. Commonsense says that early intervention will give the best outcome for your teenager's longterm health. Teen Suicide
Teen suicide often comes without warning. It's not something that parents want to think about, but as with everything, knowledge is better than ignorance.
If you have a teenager who suffers from depression then you must know what to look out for. Sometimes, suicide can be a quick decision based on a single traumatic event. Again, know what to look out for. |
Search This SiteFree NewsletterCaring for ParentsYou put a lot of work into caring for your kids, but who's looking after you? It's time to put yourself first for a change. It needn't break the bank, you don't even have to leave the house if you don't want to! Just take some time to pamper yourself.
COMPETITION
Parenting Quote Adolescents are not monsters. They are just people trying to learn how to make it among the adults in the world, who are probably not so sure themselves.
~Virginia Satir, The New Peoplemaking, 1988
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